Tired, poor, huddled millennials of New York earn 20% less than prior generation

Entering the workforce in the greatest economic downturn in living
memory, millennials earn much less than Generation X and might
never close the gap

Jana Kasperkevic in New York
Tuesday 26 April 2016 04.30 BST

Scoff all you like at hoverboard hipsters and Brooklyn baristas: life is tough for millennials trying to chase down their American dream in New York City. The city’s millennials make about 20% less than the generation before them, according to a new report released by New York City comptroller Scott Stringer.

Entering the workforce during the greatest economic downturn in living memory, millennials – despite attending college at much higher rate than Gen X – have been stuck in low-wage jobs and might never make up that 20% gap.

The report defines millennials as those born between 1985 and 1996.

“This generation is at a crossroads,” Stringer said. “They worked hard, got an education and then faced roadblocks to getting a good-paying job. It’s time for us to pay attention to the largest generation in New York City, and start to break down those barriers.”

The public has been paying attention to millennials, but mostly the attention has been on the fact that they choose juice shots over alcohol or that they ride hoverboards while at work. Less attention has been paid to the fact that there is a reason why co-living spaces with month-to-month leases make sense for the generation that isn’t sure if it’s coming or going. It isn’t love of coffee that has millennials with college education taking jobs as baristas.

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